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Essentialism may be the new design statement post demonetisation

Wednesday, 7 December, 2016 SURFACES REPORTER | 1 Min Read |

The recent cash crunch created as a result of the demonetisation of the high value currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 from the economy may just result in a fresh design statement for interior designers & architects in India.

A lot of the impulsive buying and over the top luxury products and designs may take a back seat for some time. Interior designers would be required to work towards the new challenges of designing within certain budget while meeting the requirements and tastes of the high-end consumers. Experts predict design would move towards ‘Essentialism’ majorly as the new mantra.

Products and materials which would give the most value of money or substance are likely to rule.

It should not be confused with ‘Minimalism’ which believes in ‘less is more’. In fact, Essentialism could be considered an upgraded version of minimalism. While minimalism is a much used and common word in the design world, essentialism is not. But we feel that at this point, nothing describes our current design requirement better than this.

Essentialism could be considered an upgraded version of minimalism.

Aristotle’s ‘Categories’ proposes that “all objects are the objects they are by virtue of their ‘substance’, that the substance makes the object what it is.”

A lot of the impulsive buying and over the top luxury products and designs may take a back seat for some time.

To put it in generic terms, a design language which focuses on realising and investing in the ‘essentials’ that make your life and space ‘look and feel’ great; without which the space would not have the essence it is meant to have. Perhaps most aptly put by somebody who said ‘happiness is essential’. Products and materials which would give the most value of money or substance are likely to rule. We may not go back to bare minimum but a beautiful combination which doesn’t compromise with the essentials yet is friendlier to the pocket, stylish and luxurious without being over the top. In a way ‘Less but better.’

Surfaces Reporter magazine has a clear & niche target group comprising of Architects, Engineers, Builders, Interior Designers, Manufacturers, Celebrities, Showrooms, Consultancy firms, and Leading Business houses, Hotels & Restaurants, and PMCs etc. If you have a Product or Project worth publishing in Surfaces Reporter, please email us hello@surfacesreporter.comor you can also submit your project online.